Homefront UK (2012) s01e02 Episode Script

1 It's not a social call.
Round here a knock on the front door means only one thing.
- Sorry.
- No.
No! I need a job.
I don't care what else is happening, this boy is going to lay his daddy to rest.
Matthew was a soldier's soldier.
Matt's letter? You've opened it? We're just cannon fodder for the likes of him.
You killed him.
You.
You sounded terrible on the phone.
Who sent this? Some kind of joke? If it is, I'm not laughing.
We can't get to the phone.
Please leave a message for Matt, Tash or Alfie after the tone.
Tasha, it's Howard.
Are you there, love? Who wants a biscuit, hm? Biscuit? Hello? Alfie! Hiya.
Alfie? That's Lily from next door.
And he needs a haircut.
You said you'd ring from the station.
"Hello, Mum, thanks for coming.
" Come here.
Oooh.
I got the first flight, as soon as I heard.
I cried all the way.
I thought you'd just had enough of churches after the christening.
That was the tablets.
What have you got there, Diazepam? Citalopram? Nothing.
I don't want 'em.
I take it I'm in Alfie's room, yeah? Are you stopping, then? All my worldly goods, is that.
Five pounds for you, Sam.
Don't spend it all at once.
At least I've got it to spend.
Six pounds towards the respray of your father's car.
132 weeks to go.
You're gonna have to get a job.
I know, I'm trying.
It's hard.
Tell me about it.
15 applications, how many interviews? One.
When is it? I could give you a makeover.
Only if I can give you a makeunder.
Anyway, gotta go, gotta book a church.
Bye.
Pay you back from my wages.
It's getting a bit chilly now, Tash.
Will you take him in? He's gonna miss this garden.
We can't stay here forever.
Are they turfing you out? Not yet.
They'll need it for another family.
Where will they put you? Not their problem.
No, but I mean, they They'll help you out, though, surely? The visiting officer's been great.
Got leaflets for this, grants for that.
Come on in, Alfie.
Telly time.
Is Jeff not with you? Glen? Oh, sorry.
Jeff was the Bastard.
He's still in Spain.
Therein lies a tale.
Bastard.
OK, so Lydia's husband is a loo-tenant colonel.
Leff-tenant.
They're not American.
Lieutenant colonel and that's as high as you can be? No, it goes right up through colonel and brigadier Oh, look.
They're laying this on to welcome you, not test you.
Come with me, please.
I'll get the giggles and insult the Queen or something.
Come on, you could eat your dinner off that floor, not that Joe would notice.
Not if he's anything like Pete, anyway.
Come on.
I bet Lydia's got real muffins.
Do you think I should curtsey? Just tell them I'm your chauffeur.
Don't look at Lydia's muffins.
Hello.
Lovely to meet you.
Lovely of you to invite me.
This is my friend, Louise Mancetta.
Her husband's Joe Mancetta.
Corporal Mancetta.
Well, come in.
Thank you.
I'm sat here and everything screams Matt.
You're proud of him.
You know, you want his things around you.
I go out and people are running for buses and eating pasties.
I want to grab them by the throat and say, "Don't you watch the news, don't you know?" You've still got Alfie.
Have you seen him when he smiles? Yeah.
Spitting image, isn't he? Would you not think about going back to the salon? You know, just a change of scenery, a few days a week? And take him as my junior? I've fallen out with Paula, haven't I? I'd mind him.
We'd have a laugh, wouldn't we, Alfie? Paula.
£700, they clearly dug deep.
The auction? Matt was obviously well loved.
Pete Bartham's emailed.
He thinks one of us should present Natasha with the cheque at the barbecue.
I haven't seen her for a few days.
Can I help you with those bags? Er no, thanks, Jim.
I'm all right, thanks.
Thank you.
Hi! Do you know who's baby-sitting our grandson? No.
Cheryl.
I thought she lived in Malaga.
Oh, couldn't make it to the funeral.
But as soon as there's a sniff of insurance money She was outside the pub, smoking.
It was blowing in Alfie's face! It's the ranks and the acronyms and the slang.
I mean "On the patch" - where does that come from? She means where I live.
Louise is lucky, she's seen it from both sides, Mrs and medic.
Oh, really? Yeah.
2003-2008, First stop Iraq.
Mind you, after Newcastle Royal, Basra was a doddle.
The big question is, can you park your ego at the door? You might be having the day from hell.
It might even be his fault.
But when you answer that phone Forgotten? The car starts every time and the kids are on for A stars.
A pooping pig? Eh? Oh, the barbecue, yeah.
The regiment wanted to do something in Matt's memory.
With a pig? A mate of mine breeds saddlebacks.
We mark out a corner of the field into squares, and whoever buys the square that the pig poops in first wins 50 quid.
You couldn't fiddle it for me? Don't tell me.
You're skint.
Worse.
In debt to my step mum.
Get scrubbing, Cinders.
I would, but everywhere wants a CV.
I'm 15, what's mine gonna say? "1998, learnt to walk.
2001, learnt how to write my name.
" "2012, learnt to sag off school.
" Can you wash dishes? In my sleep.
Make conversation? "Can you see a future for the Eurozone?" With hairy-arse builders? "Do you want red sauce or brown, mate?" Go on, I'll give you a trial.
How much? Think of a figure.
Now halve it.
People warned me it's all about your husband's rank.
You could be a surgeon, but if your husband's a corporal It used to be like that but not any more.
They all deny it, but the wives are the backbone of the British Army.
The backside where all the shit gets dumped.
It's a blank cheque.
A soldier goes on tour, he can do what he wants.
In between missile attacks.
You can't say a word about it when he rings, because this call might be his last.
Exactly.
And he comes home, and everything's polished up and perfect.
Because this R&R might be his last.
It's life.
But it's not real life.
It's what he signed up for.
He did.
Not you, not your kids.
With respect if you marry a soldier, you know what you're getting into.
She doesn't.
Did you? Because unless you've served out there, you can't know.
What goes on tour stays on tour.
You're evenly balanced, I'll give you that a chip on both shoulders.
You asked me to come.
I thought you had a nice line in small talk.
Not today.
Louise? Joe's been playing away.
Some skanky squadette.
She must know that he's married.
What the hell, he knows that he's married.
I've scrubbed, mopped, put the flags out for the girls.
I just want to smash his face in.
He's flying home tomorrow.
I don't know what to do.
It's my first day back, Dan's a stickler.
Tasha I just want to clear the air.
I'll sneak out in a bit.
OK.
She told me.
She opened Matt's letter.
Unforgivable! She's never liked me.
She loves you.
I'm not stupid.
But I put up with it, that's families.
She regrets it.
There's some things you can't unsay.
Look, love, she's in bits.
I know she looks in control, but losing Matt's just sent her over the top.
I'm not excusing what she did.
Well, Tasha, whatever you think of us, Alfie's still our grandson.
And Matt was my husband.
And it's not my fault he's dead.
You said she killed him.
I said Matt steps on an IED 3,000 miles away but it was Tasha that killed him? Thinking about Tasha, yes, wondering who she was running round with.
Listen to yourself.
He were beside himself.
Have you read the letter? It wasn't addressed to me.
It was private between man and wife and it should have stayed that way.
Too much stays private.
I've seen you, you and Tom.
I'm not tough enough to know the truth? You don't need any more pictures in your head.
Your imagination's vivid enough.
It wasn't an accident, it wasn't routine.
You know it, Tom knows it, Major Bartham knows it.
Matt was out of his mind.
No, you are out of your mind.
Do you not get this? This is the end for us with Tasha and Alfie.
I've already lost my son.
I do not intend to lose a grandson, too.
Oh, she'll be back! As soon as she needs a baby-sitter or a winter coat.
Where is he, Gracie? Where's Daddy? See if we can be the first to spot him.
Yaay, there he is! My three favourite girls.
How are we doing? How is my little Graciepops, eh? Goodbye, Lashkar Gah, hello, Leysham! Lightweight.
Last ever tour.
Mancetta, put her down, you don't know where she's been.
Seven o'clock, The Ringers.
Not for me, lads.
I've got my evening sorted.
And he looked at the girls with all eight of his eyes and he said, "Why are you not asleep?" Are they like this every night? If you wind them up into a frenzy, yeah.
Is this mine? Yeah.
I've got a surprise for you as well.
Open it.
Louise, you didn't fall for this, did you? It's you.
Yeah and Danni Minogue.
It's Photoshop, look.
When did it arrive? Just in time for R&R, bit of a coincidence.
You know those lads, what wind-up merchants they are.
Newsflash, Joe.
The tart with the tramp stamp isn't me, so who is it and how long's it been going on? It hasn't! OK, if you don't believe me, the lads'll be in The Ringers.
Get Julie round to mind the kids and we'll go.
They'll fall about laughing.
At me! No, at me! Look, I don't need to go sharking after other women.
You're my one and only.
You know it, everybody knows it.
Some of them don't like it.
Maybe that's it.
Maybe someone's jealous.
On Hannah's life.
Why would I risk it? Isn't that what you do trade up? Once.
And me and Suzanne were dead in the water.
That wasn't trading up, that was finding the love of my life.
Look, please.
All right, it's a stupid joke.
Don't let it ruin what time we've got.
It's short enough.
On Hannah's life? I swear.
Paula, hi.
I've got this feeling in my gut.
People keep telling me I'm mad, but erm the army don't fly a major off the front line for a funeral, not even an officer's funeral.
Well, it wasn't an ordinary funeral.
A private? Not much more than a kid.
He was serving next to his brother.
There was bound to be attention.
Is that what Major Bartham said? I'm not sure he act I just thought that was how repatriations worked.
I'm still feeling my way.
Did he mention anything else about Matt? How he died? Only what he said at the funeral.
That Matt was a good man.
Maybe too good.
He was thinking about the little boy and not about the unit.
I'm sorry.
I know it's awkward.
But if it was your son, your um Sam.
If you lost Sam like this, you'd wonder.
I know you would.
Look they're expecting me at this interview.
Can I drop you in town? I'm sorry.
Lou, you're not going out, are you? No.
Won't be long.
OK.
Great meeting you, Claire.
You'll be hearing from us soon.
Melanie will see you out.
Great.
Thank you.
Chris is pretty laid back as bosses go.
He seems to be.
I wish I could ring my fiance.
You're welcome to use the office phone.
To call Afghanistan.
He's in the army? Is that what brought you to Leysham? Yeah.
Isn't that what brings everyone here? Nice to have met you.
You look smart.
Thank you.
Paula Raveley called round earlier.
Terrible timing.
What did she want? She was asking about Matt's death.
Don't tell me you blabbed.
Pete! Tragic.
You'll be kissing him on the lips next.
At least I pay him some attention.
You take him out once a decade.
The stuff I told you was strictly off the record.
I know that.
Don't jump down my throat.
What would I tell her? The same thing goes for the mums at school.
I don't know any of them.
Please don't bark orders at me.
I'll give it six months.
Credit me with a bit of common sense.
At least I don't bust a gut on the whole making friends thing.
You and Mary Poppins'll be out by Christmas.
Fingers crossed.
There is one bit of good news.
The guys are queuing up, I've got to go.
Sorry, I'll email you.
OK.
Bye, then.
Love you too.
Hi, Paula.
Tasha's not here.
Oh, Cheryl will do.
It's just me.
What about the barbecue? They've gone to get their hair done specially.
They're cutting it fine.
I'll take Alfie.
I can get him ready.
One less job for Tasha.
She asked me to mind him.
You mucky pup.
You're coming with me.
I'd best ring Tasha.
What is it with me, eh? Have I suddenly grown two heads? I'm his grandma.
I practically brought him up.
I practically brought you up.
Come on, then, sweetheart.
Let's go have some fun.
There you go.
Tasha, it's Adam.
Can you call me back as soon as you get this? It's important.
Lou, do you need anything ironing? You look gorgeous.
The pooping pig doesn't stand a chance.
It'll be all eyes on you.
I've got a better idea.
Let's just stay in instead.
I'm not too proud to beg.
On your knees, soldier.
I love you.
Millie! Millie! Where is she? Did you see her go out? No.
Right, then.
Come on.
What? It's the barbecue.
I told you it was today.
Busy.
There'll be loads of kids your age there, music and competitions.
"Find a friend for Sam".
That kind of competition? Don't be like that.
Come on, it'll be great! No, it won't.
Yes, it will.
All right, then, it won't.
But who cares? Come on, I got you a ticket especially.
When did this come? "Application unsuccessful"? Bollocks! What is? Nothing, forget it.
Just stay at home, bomb a cartoon.
Never mind the poor sods who are getting blown up for real.
Paula, can you get your backside round here sharpish? Thank God you're here.
Nip to the car and get some ketchup.
All right, I'll get a drink.
Oh, sorry! Sorry, has it stained? No, you're all right.
Might scorch a hole in the grass, though.
Someone got dressed in a hurry.
Oh, God! Thanks.
I'm gonna need some R&R myself when this lot go back.
He can't keep his hands off me when he's home.
Too much information.
Cheers.
Cheers.
You might need something stronger.
Try not to stare.
There you are.
How did you get in without a ticket? Come, let's circulate.
Sorry, she's spoken for.
Mustard, we're out.
No strings, no mind games, we said.
That picture you sent my wife, me and you.
Not funny, Nicki.
Not guilty, Joe.
I don't broadcast my sex life unlike your wife.
Look, if I wanted her to know about us, I could just walk up and tell her.
But you'd rather see me sweat.
Cheers.
Look at you! Soldier boy! Millie, take over.
I'll get that for you.
I'll have a burger and hot dog, please.
Some of your crispy black onions.
That'd be lovely.
Go on.
H! Where do you want her? Where do we want the pig? In the pig pen.
This is brilliant.
What were you thinking? And you a policeman.
You should've told her to sod off.
They're all the same, this lot.
What lot? This Leysham lot stick together.
She's his grandma! Why didn't you answer your phone? So it's Tasha's fault now, is it? Look, if you can't face the barbecue, I'll go.
I'll stay with Alfie and bring him home after.
I said I didn't want to see her.
But you didn't mean it.
That's it.
Sit up straight.
Hi.
It's Melanie, isn't it? Claire Marshbrook.
The interview? Oh, hi.
Great to see you here.
Some of the locals knock them but we've always enjoyed these army do's.
I hope you don't mind me asking, but when I came in, it all seemed to be going so well.
What happened? The last woman who did the job was a SWAG.
Service Wives And Girlfriends.
We spent a year training her up and then hubby got posted to Germany.
It's a shame.
Chris said it was a great application.
Hello, soldier.
Isn't he lovely? Smile.
Look, here's Mummy.
There you go.
How could you? Today of all days.
This is meant to be about Matt.
You remembered, then? It's my own grandson and Adam was terrified to let me take him.
Stop it, you're as bad as each other.
I trusted you.
Know what? I get enough of this at work.
Well done.
You forget, we're the only family Alfie's got.
Er hello.
You? You heard the word "insurance" and you jumped on a plane.
Cheeky mare! Once it's spent, we won't see you for dust.
What makes a person so bitter? And don't say it's grief, cos you were like this before.
You don't know what I'm like.
I've got eyes, I've got ears.
You've never stayed round to find out.
Lucky for this one.
Back off, Paula.
So she cooked a few casseroles? Give her a ten-gun salute! She's had some sanity thanks to me and Matt and Howard, and so has Alfie.
I'm not having my baby paraded round like an Action Man.
Like his father.
I've seen her parking the pram outside the pub so she can nip in for a quick drink.
She left him with total strangers.
What's going on? Two minutes, I was gone.
All it takes is two minutes! He shouldn't hear this.
Take him off to play.
He's staying with me.
For God's sakes! It's not good for him to see you two arguing like this.
But this is good - marching about in combats, regimental berets, regimental shit? You show some respect! If you think he'll go down this road, you're mistaken.
He can be a fireman, a bloody ballerina for all I care, but the army? Over my dead body.
Tash, just wait, wait! Just wait, will you? They want to present you with the cheque.
Please, love, it's from the battalion.
I don't want their money! Matt's dead.
We have to accept that.
I have! And Alfie does, too.
You need to explain it to him so he understands.
Morning! We all have to tighten our belts this year, especially when it comes to a major purchase such as a kitchen.
Nice try, Claire, but I'm afraid that ship's already sailed.
The trouble with a budget kitchen is Claire, you've made your point.
Look, I just want two minutes.
He's got meetings back to back.
I've just explained.
You're a busy man so I'll keep this brief.
Leysham Kitchen Company units are surprisingly light on the pocket.
But unlike their competitors, they're made in Leysham town not Toytown.
You've got guts, Claire, I'll give you that.
I'm getting married shortly, I've got two kids in the local school.
I'm here to put down roots.
It's not just about the army thing.
This job's a step down from the work you're used to.
I could make it more challenging and bring in good business for you.
Why don't you take me on on a trial? And if it doesn't work out, I'll just walk away.
I'll give you a month.
Start Monday.
Thank you.
OK.
Lou? Yeah? Am I all right to go down the gym later? Yeah.
It's a good idea.
I think you're getting a pot belly.
Oh, really? Go on, keep it up.
Stay with it, go on.
Good, good.
I feel quite sorry for her.
She doesn't get it, does she? When to back off.
Tea? Nothing stronger? It's no surprise them boys joined up.
How do you mean? To get away from her.
She's the same with Alfie, wants to wrap him up in cotton wool all the time.
She loves him.
Yeah, in her own way.
Paula's way is the only way.
Left over from the funeral.
Aww.
Cheers, Matt.
Where's yours? Oh, come on, have a drink.
No, it makes me weepy.
What's this? Of course, she's got a point.
Well, you know, about the insurance.
Cos you'll have that and Matt's pension.
I've got a little stash put by.
We could have a really decent house with a garden.
You know, just for the three of us.
Yeah, could do.
Look what Daddy's left.
Silly sausage! He won't get far on the treadmill without them, will he? I was just saying to Nicki, I've got a head like a sieve.
Were you really? I'll be going now.
Forgets his trainers, forgets he's got a wife and kids.
It's pathetic at his age.
Someone got dressed in a hurry.
Rule of mine - I never punch a woman in Primark.
You never used to be like this.
What, bitter, suspicious? Paranoid.
Stop.
You're making it worse.
It's bad enough you've done it.
You've lied to me, made me look pathetic and needy.
It's bad enough you've screwed the bitch on my doorstep.
I bought her a coffee.
Give me your phone, I know you've texted her.
Here you are.
And deleted it straightaway.
Oh, not paranoid at all, then? Right, I'll phone her, then, shall I? N for Nicki? Hello? Joe? Joe, is that you? It was a one-night stand.
And what was tonight? Me telling her.
We'd had a shit day.
One of the Afghan lads took a hit, nearly bled out before we could get to him.
Some days it just scrambles your brain.
Been there, done that.
You're a better person than I am, then.
I was drunk and lonely.
Exhausted? I've been all those things.
Yeah, here.
If you want a hug, you shout the girls.
You want to talk You've got your band of brothers! Yeah, and by the time I get to them, they're dying! Or dead! I wanted to feel alive.
Where were you? Walking.
Have you been drinking, Mum? Mum? What's up? All you had to do is say.
You know, it seemed like a good idea to me.
Your face when I suggested us getting a house.
Talk about pissing on my chips.
It is a good idea.
I wasn't expecting it, that's all.
You think like Paula.
You know, I'm only here for what I can scrounge.
No! We'd have probably done each other's heads in, anyway.
We've never been close.
Mum, I love having you here.
In small doses.
It's all right.
You're not the first to have said it.
I'm pregnant.
Oh, Tash.
Whose is it? What do you mean, "whose is it"? It's Matt's.
Jesus! Don't bite my head off.
We're not all like you.
Tash, it's You're not showing, love.
Matt's not been home for what, four months? Two and a half.
Oh, Tash.
You swore on Hannah's life.
Twice.
I panicked.
I was desperate.
Lou, people come back from worse than this.
We can.
We can come back stronger.
You know what you are, Joe? You're a bully.
A bully and a shit.
All these excuses.
You've not once said sorry.
We'd all like Daddy to come home.
But he can't ever.
He's gone to be a star in heaven.
It's a very important job.
He knows we miss him so guess what he's gone and done? He's sent us a new baby.
So new we don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet.
He reckons we'll be so busy playing with the new baby we'll hardly notice Daddy's gone.
Was it good? Can we go in the garden? Yeah, go and play out for a bit.
Someone's got to say it.
This time next week, I'll be in Helmand.
Yeah, forget about me and the girls.
Let's do what's right for the army.
I need to be able to focus.
Or you could be the next Matt Raveley.
Think about what we've got the girls, the memories.
You nursed my dad A one-off, I could take.
I knew I wasn't marrying a saint.
But this is an affair on my doorstep.
She stood and chatted to me at the barbecue and you let her.
You let her! What are you doing? I need to think.
There's no time! We'll only get through this by talking.
What about Hannah and Grace? What will I tell them? You'll think of something.
Lou Leysham's own little hero.
"Toddler Alfie Raveley stole the hearts of supporters at Saturday's fun day.
The event was organised by the First Battalion Royal Leysham Regiment in memory of Alfie's hero, his late father Private Matthew Raveley.
" That's one for the scrapbook.
Have you tried her mum's? I've tried everywhere.
Go home, Joe.
If their mum's not around, they'll want a cuddle off their dad.
Right, cheers, Julie.
Come on, girls.
You're right.
Useless.
I should have sussed when I showed you the photo.
We thought it would burn itself out.
Your Andy and Joe aren't even friends.
It's my fault.
You're my mate.
I should have told you as soon as he told me.
He just expects me to fall into line.
All the things that I've missed out on a home of my own, a wage of my own, my sisters, my mum Do you want to leave him? Right now yeah.
But I'd have nothing.
You'd have the kids.
But no home, no friends, no support.
And no Joe.
The other stuff, you can sort.
Could you live the rest of your life without Joe? Tell me what you want and I'll do it.
You can't.
The army? If you want me to, I'll leave.
Retrain.
I might as well cut your balls off.
I want you to care about this family as much as I do.
But you don't.
Dhobi powder, have you packed it? Hannah, Grace.
When you look at him, remember their faces.
Oh and watch your back out there.
I'd hate to see you starring in the next Taliban home movie.
Did what you had with her mean more than what you've got with me? No.
Then why should I let her walk away with my life? We've been through too much together, Joe.
Good and bad.
Mostly good.
Promise me.
I promise.
On Hannah's life? I love you.
Keep your head.
Stay safe.
Come home.
Tom Raveley has spoken to me.
He claims that the statement he gave after his brother's death, was a fudge.
It's Joe.
He's been seen with Nicki.
It's not over.
What's she's doing here now, she could be doing in Spain in a few months.
You're not serious? A fresh start, why not? Book in while you've still got the chance.
You can take the piss out of me all you like, but you don't do it to your father.
What's going on?